UH beats Rice in home basketball finale, 91-77
| • | Senior Jesinskis shines in home finale |
| • | Ferd Lewis: Future looks bright with Sensley |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
In Hawai'i, it's not a party without Rice.
Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Appropriately enough, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team celebrated local-style in a 91-77 victory over Rice yesterday in a crucial Western Athletic Conference game.
Hawai'i's Jason Carter, one of five seniors playing his final game at the Stan Sheriff Center, soars to the basketball against Rice in the first half. Hawai'i won, 91-77.
Hawai'i seniors, from left, Phil Martin, Paul Jesinskis, Haim Shimonovich, Michael Kuebler and Jason Carter were honored after playing their final game at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH coach Riley Wallace hugs Phil Martin after the game.
"You can't beat going out like this," said Jason Carter, one of five UH seniors playing in the Stan Sheriff Center for the final time. "Everybody did their job. It was just good all-around."
A turnstile crowd of 7,627 (9,214 tickets were issued) watched the Rainbow Warriors move into a tie for second place in the WAC. With two regular-season games remaining on the road, Hawai'i is 19-8 overall and 11-5 in the conference.
Rice dropped to 20-8 overall and 11-5 in the conference. Nevada is also tied for second at 11-5. Texas-El Paso is alone in first at 13-4.
"It was big all the way around," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said of yesterday's victory.
Five Hawai'i players scored in double-figures, and all five seniors made significant contributions.
Sophomore Julian Sensley nearly stole the show with 21 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. He shot 8 of 10 from the field, including three highlight-reel dunks.
"We went to him because we felt like we could," Wallace said.
As Sensley put it: "I got some easy baskets early in the game, and that got me in the flow. Plus, it was senior night, and we all wanted to win it for the seniors."
The seniors went out in style, combining for 49 points and 21 rebounds. The 5-foot-10 Carter led the way with 14 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers and a spectacular alley-oop dunk in the first half.
"You know me, I was just going in there and giving it my all," he said.
Michael Kuebler added 13 points, and Paul Jesinskis had a career-high 12 off the bench.
Phil Martin had six points and two rebounds while playing just 16 minutes on a severely sprained left ankle. Haim Shimonovich added four points and 10 rebounds while playing with a bruised right knee.
"It's the effort I've been looking for every game this season," Wallace said.
The 'Bows broke the game open in the first half with a 10-2 run that increased a 26-25 lead to 36-27. They then closed the first half with a 9-2 surge to take a 49-35 advantage at intermission.
Sensley scored 12 and Carter 11 in the first half.
"I think we were our own worst enemy," Rice head coach Willis Wilson said. "We had 18 turnovers, 10 in the first half, and it put us in a defensive mode."
The Owls never got closer than 10 in the second half.
A month ago, Rice defeated Hawai'i, 76-73, in Houston. The 'Bows committed a season-high 24 turnovers in that game.
Hawai'i still made 18 turnovers yesterday, but it was able to beat the Owls downcourt for several easy baskets.
"I think the biggest difference this time was our defense," Sensley said. "We got some turnovers off them and so we were able to run up and down."
With Martin and Shimonovich on the bench for most of the game resting their injuries, reserve forwards Jesinskis and Jeff Blackett played key roles.
Jesinskis scored eight of his 12 points in the second half. Blackett scored 10 of his 12 in the first half. They each grabbed five rebounds.
"I thought Pauly came in and gave us a great game," Carter said. "He's known for his defense, but he knocked down some big shots."
When the Owls were not turning the ball over, their big men were able to score inside.
Forward Michael Harris finished with 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting, and nine rebounds. Center Yamar Diene added 14 points on 5 of 5 shooting before fouling out.
"The effort was good enough to win," Wilson said. "I just feel like we beat ourselves."
In any case, the postgame belonged to the five Hawai'i seniors. After an emotional speech from Wallace, the five seniors each made one last dunk and received standing ovations from the crowd.
"I'll never forget this," Kuebler said. "Nowhere else do the fans treat you like this."
NOTE: Phil Martin appeared in his 121st game as a Rainbow Warrior, establishing a UH record.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
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